LA PLAGNE, France(Jan. 11, 2020)– Bobsled pilot Hunter Church (Cadyville, N.Y.) continued his European debut, learning yet another new track this week. Church teamed with Kris Horn (Pembroke, Mass.) in the La Plagne men’s two-man bobsled World Cup today for 12th place.

“I think the limited runs is tough for sure,” Church said. “I think my experience in Lake Placid (N.Y.) and the other North American tracks has me well equipped to tackle these tracks.”

Church and Horn posted a 6.12-second start time in the first heat, 15th fastest of the heat, and 23-year-old Church steered his BMW sled to the finish in 59.66 seconds for a three-way tie for 10th. Canadians Justin Kripps and Cameron Stones, and France’s Romain Heinrich and Dorian Hauterville also clocked a run of 59.66.

The pair improved their start to 6.09 seconds in the second heat, but Church was unable to ease his sled through some of the more challenging transitions. Church and Horn crossed the finish line in 59.95 seconds for a combined time of 1:59.61, falling behind both the French and Canadian sleds into 12th.

“Over the break I reached out to the guys and had us come up with some goals that were attainable moving into each race,” Church said. “Some of those goals were top fifteen in two-man, making every top twenty, two top ten finishes, and shooting for a top six.”

Church has already accomplished those goals. Church finished fifth in both Lake Placid two-man races, and was 12th today. He is now chasing a top three finish with four World Cup races and World Championships ahead.

Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schueller of Germany were victorious again this season with a combined time of 1:58.52. Latvians Oskars Kibermanis and Matiss Miknis moved up from fourth after the first heat into second after posting the fastest run of the final heat. Kibermanis and Miknis earned the silver medal with a two-run total of 1:58.78. Michael Vogt and Sandro Michel from Switzerland claimed bronze in 1:58.86.

The four-man bobsled World Cup race will take place tomorrow at 11 a.m. local time. NBC Sports and Olympic Channel will have broadcast and digital streaming coverage. Fans can catch all the action in spectacular high definition via NBC Sports online at NBCSports.com/Live, or through the NBC Sports app. Additional coverage will be available on OlympicChannel.com and the Olympic Channel app.

About USA Bobsled & Skeleton
USA Bobsled & Skeleton (USABS), based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. USABS would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: BMW of North America, Under Armour, Omaze, Kampgrounds of America, BiPro, Boomerang Carnets, Hudl, Tesa Tape, PVS International, Ferris Mfg. Corp, Machintek, deBotech and Carpenter. For more information, please visit the USABS website atwww.usabs.com.